It’s no news flash that Thanksgiving is also synonymous with food. My mouth is watering already at the thought of a plump roast turkey with all the fixings…. mashed potatoes, sausage stuffing, green beans, creamed onions, cranberry relish, gravy, pumpkin pie, cornbread and the list goes on and on depending on your family’s traditions.

Tips for an Inspired Thanksgiving Table

Color reigns supreme. With all the wonderful hues of the harvest season, make sure to layer in a good punch of color at every place setting. Mix it up by picking three of your favorite fall colors and incorporating them differently at each place setting.

Create a glow. Floating tea lights in partially filled stemware is a wonderful alternative to candles on the table. When nestled in with other glasses, the light from the stemware creates the perfect seasonal glow.

Collect fall foliage. Layer an array of red, yellow, and orange leaves around the edge of a charger, or simply place leaves underneath the perimeter of the largest plate at each place setting. This organic look adds just the right touch of the season.

Use gourds. Small gourds of all colors make wonderful vessels for food. After hollowing out the inside, let the gourd dry before inserting a small bowl to fill with a side dish. It’s a festive way to serve soup.

Add some organic flair. Dress up your silverware with a little raffia and a magnolia leaf. Just roll your silverware up in a napkin, bind with raffia, and insert one magnolia leaf into the raffia tie. The glossy, green color of the magnolia will easily coordinate with napkins of any color.

Incorporate fall crops. Tuck a few wheat stalks into candlesticks for an interesting decoration — and to add height to individual place settings.

Shop Local – St. Petersburg Style

Hope you enjoy these tips. And, remember to shop local! For more information on local shopping, visit Market Mafia (www.MarketMafia.com), a resource guide connecting residents and visitors throughout Greater Tampa Bay with local handcraft markets.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

]]>http://estelia.com/setting-the-perfect-thanksgiving-table/feed/05830St. Petersburg, FL – A Microbrewery Destinationhttp://estelia.com/st-petersburg-fl-a-microbrewery-destination/
http://estelia.com/st-petersburg-fl-a-microbrewery-destination/#respondMon, 12 Nov 2018 16:20:51 +0000http://estelia.com/?p=5819 Continue reading...]]>No doubt about it – St. Petersburg has become a microbrewery destination. So much so in fact that, according to an article in Forbes magazine, it rivals Portland, Denver and Asheville. (https://www.forbes.com/…/the-50-fastest-growing-craft-breweries-in-the-united-states)

What’s behind the craft beer phenomenon? And why are consumers so loyal? The Brewers Association and Nielsen Research set out to find the answers by conducting a nationally representative survey of more than 1,000 regular craft beer drinkers, 58-percent of whom said they consume craft beer at least weekly. Here are some of the more interesting findings:

#1. The word “Craft” signifies many things to consumers. Highest on the list of associations were the phrases small/independent company, hand-crafted and small-batch production. Choosing a beer that is ‘locally made’ mattered to 52-percent of craft beer drinkers, and has increased in importance from just a few years ago.

#2. Consumers like craft over non-craft beer for ideological and quality reasons. When asked “Why would you choose a craft beer?” revealed high instances of words like taste, flavor, variety, better, and local. Yes, craft beer drinkers are a passionate bunch.

#3. Variety. Craft beer drinkers are always looking for the next new beer to love. In a typical month, respondents said they purchase 3.6 different brands of craft beer. For the segment of people who drinks craft beer at least weekly, this increased to 4.4 different brands.

St. Pete’s Breweries

CYCLE BREWING COMPANY
Some of the best craft beers in the area can be found in the Grand Central District. First stop for any craft beer enthusiast has to be Cycle Brewing. Not only is it the perfect brewery to start you on your journey, it’s also located conveniently near the museum district and close to quite a few parking garages. A must try for any true beer connoisseur is their award-winning Cream & Sugar, Please Coffee Porter. Cycle Brewing opens at 3 PM on Monday through Thursday, but you can get there earlier on Saturday and Sunday when doors open at noon.

CAGE BREWING COMPANY
Another Grand Central all-star is just down the street at Cage Brewing. The origin story for Cage Brewing begins at R Bar on Treasure Island and ends with an incredible facility in the heart of St. Petersburg that is covered in work from local artists. A large grassy yard makes this brewery very pet-friendly.

PINELLAS ALE WORKS
Just across the street is Pinellas Ale Works, another pet-friendly brewery located at the intersection of 20th Street and First Avenue happens to feature some unique beer names that definitely fit the theme with Sit! (Amber Ale) and Stay! (American Pale Ale), Doberman (Brown Ale) and the Pomeranian (a Porter). Both breweries open at 3 PM on Monday through Thursday, but you can start your day earlier on the weekend when doors open at noon.

GREEN BENCH BREWING COMPANY
Some of the city’s staples are right around the corner, and all feature a very different vibe. Green Bench Brewing Co. is located just a short walk from Tropicana Field. It is St. Pete’s first microbrewery, formed by old high school friends who were raised in the area. History is seeped into every detail of this project – from the red brick garage built in 1926 that it’s housed in, to its name stemming from the 2,500+ green benches that lined downtown St. Petersburg in the early 1900s. Some of the highlights of this brewery are the Green Bench IPA and the Skyway Wheat.

3DAUGHTERS BREWERY
Another game changer in the area when it comes to local craft beer is probably also one of the biggest, 3Daughters Brewery. Located on 22nd St. South, they started brewing craft beers when looking for the perfect recipe for beer battered fish in a local restaurant. The popularity of their brews quickly led to the decision to open a brewery and they now feature over 60 craft beer recipes on tap. Not only can many of their brews be found in restaurants and stores throughout the Tampa Bay area, they are also extremely popular throughout the state of Florida, Georgia and the Bahamas. Their most popular beer is probably their Beach Blonde Ale, with the Bimini Twist IPA right behind it. Doors open around 2PM on Monday through Friday, and 12PM and 1PM on Saturday and Sunday.

BOTTOM LINE: Alcohol is alcohol. The big thing with craft beer is be aware what you are drinking. Some of these beers have a much higher Alcohol by Volume (ABV). One double IPA, one imperial stout isn’t equal to one light beer anymore — now it’s almost two or potentially three.

]]>http://estelia.com/st-petersburg-fl-a-microbrewery-destination/feed/05819Home Office – A Desirable Feature in Today’s Homehttp://estelia.com/home-office-a-desirable-feature-in-todays-home/
http://estelia.com/home-office-a-desirable-feature-in-todays-home/#respondSun, 04 Nov 2018 23:20:39 +0000http://estelia.com/?p=5808 Continue reading...]]>According to the most current U.S. Census, more than 13 million Americans work from home, making a home office important for many buyers. In fact, many people would prefer home office space than a formal dining room.

Accessories and Paint Color to Consider

So, if you are considering listing your home, pay special attention to your home office and consider staging the space to appeal to potential buyers.

Standing Desks

One unique way to maximize the space in your home office and show prospective buyers that the room makes for an enjoyable work environment is to consider incorporating a standing desk. There is a huge movement for people to continue to improve their health, and sitting all day behind a computer can lead to several health-related issues over time.

A great standing desk option to consider is the floating desk, which is installed into the wall, making it a huge space saver. A standing desk is approximately 40 inches in height, but you can adjust it accordingly so that the surface of the desk comes to the top of your elbows when standing with your arms at your side. If your home office space is already small, taking advantage of a floating desk that is installed to the wall will really help to create the illusion of a much larger space.

Another way to keep the clutter off of the floor and make your home office space feel larger is to make use of shelf risers and stackable shelves. These items are easily installed to the wall and are perfect for accompanying a standing desk as everything will be within an easy reach.

Natural Lighting

Don’t overlook the unique benefit of natural light coming from a window, skylight or another portal. Sunlight can produce warm lighting that improves the work environment. On the other hand, you may need to account for direct sunlight that creates overwhelming glare during certain times of the day.

In general, it’s best to have natural light in front of or next to work surfaces and computer screens to avoid glare and maximize your outside views. You can also position your workstation facing north or south so that the sunlight doesn’t throw a shadow at any point in the day.

To accommodate varying levels of brightness during the day, solar shades to soften and reduce the heat without compromising the light and view. You can also try a simple blind or even a standing screen which will do a nice job of diffusing sunlight shining through a window.

Best Colors

Most people who work from home spend more time in their home office than any other room in the house. Oddly enough, when it comes to decorating, it is the office that is often the last room to receive any attention.

One of the simplest and most effective changes you can make to your home office is a fresh coat of paint. Research shows that the color you select can play a role in your mood, productivity and job performance; and, that it is the intensity of a color that affects how you respond, not the color itself.

There are four primary colors which affect a different part of us: Red – the body, Blue – the mind, Yellow – the ego and self-confidence, and Green: the emotions and balance. When you combine more than one color, you get the effects of both of them.

How do you choose the best color for your office? First narrow down which main color or combination of colors that will work the best for you. Do you want to affect your body, mind, emotions or balance? Once you make that decision, pick a hue of that color.

Although color is both scientific and personal, most of us will know the colors that make us feel most productive. In other words, go with your instincts.

Bottom Line: As people do more work away from the office and kids do more work outside of the library, the home office is growing in importance. It’s becoming as essential as the family room.

]]>http://estelia.com/home-office-a-desirable-feature-in-todays-home/feed/05808What a Realtor Knows Better About Real Estate – 5 Things the Internet Cannot Dohttp://estelia.com/what-a-realtor-knows-better-about-real-estate-5-things-the-internet-cannot-do/
http://estelia.com/what-a-realtor-knows-better-about-real-estate-5-things-the-internet-cannot-do/#respondTue, 30 Oct 2018 01:32:31 +0000http://estelia.com/?p=5805 Continue reading...]]>According to the National Association of Realtors, 42% of home-buyers start their home search online and 92% use the Internet during the home search process.

While the Internet can be a good place to start, nothing can take the place of a seasoned, professional realtor to help you buy or sell a home. Here are a five reasons why you should work with a licensed agent.

1. Neighborhood Knowledge
Agents either possess intimate knowledge or they know where to find the industry information about your neighborhood. They can identify comparable sales and hand these facts to you, in addition to pointing you in the direction where you can find more data on schools, crime or demographics.

2. Pricing Your Home
When setting a listing price, agents consider scores of factors, from local and national market trends and neighborhood development activity to the latest buyer preferences for kitchen appliances and landscaping. Every home is unique, and an agent with a track record of success knows how to price it attractively in the market.

3. Marketing Offline
While online marketing can certainly be valuable, agents have networks of contacts and years of experience to round out their marketing plans. And, for buyers, agents often can tap into their network to learn about great properties before they hit the real estate websites or even the MLS.

4. Transaction Process
If you find a home you love online, the website won’t be there to guide you through a mortgage application, find a home inspector or advise you what to do if an inspection reveals issues – a realtor will.

5. Negotiations
Having an experienced, professional negotiator drive your transaction can be vital to reaching a fair price for the property you are buying or selling. Yes, a website can give you an estimate of how much a property should cost, but it can’t evaluate whether that’s a great price or not.

Bottom Line: The Internet offers buyers and sellers a wealth of information, but what it cannot offer is the human touch that is so critical when embarking on the considerable financial investment as buying or selling a home.

]]>http://estelia.com/what-a-realtor-knows-better-about-real-estate-5-things-the-internet-cannot-do/feed/05805Mother-In-Law Apartments – Pros and Cons of Renting Themhttp://estelia.com/mother-in-law-apartments-pros-and-cons-of-renting-them/
http://estelia.com/mother-in-law-apartments-pros-and-cons-of-renting-them/#respondMon, 22 Oct 2018 23:35:09 +0000http://estelia.com/?p=5797 Continue reading...]]>A mother-in-law apartment, also referred to as a guest house or in-law suite, is a residence located on the premises of a larger residence. It can be detached, in the basement, above a garage or located in the main residence as an addition. Most consist of a small kitchen area, bathroom, living room and bedroom. The size and extent of the accommodations depend on the needs of the occupants as well as zoning laws.

An in-law apartment can be a major selling point when you are buying a house. It is a perfect guesthouse for short-term family or friend visits or long-term stays, if a family member is moving in with you. The question arises, however, what can you do while the apartment is empty. Some homeowner’s choose to rent it out.

Short-Term Rentals – St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg has specific regulations regarding short-term rentals. For properties within the City of St. Petersburg, short-term rentals are only allowed up to three times within any consecutive 365-day period, unless the property is within a zoning district that allows the hotel or motel use or a special “overlay” approval has been obtained. (https://www.stpete.org/planning…/Short%20Term%20Rentals%20HANDOUT.pdf)

The Pros of Renting an In-law Apartment

Source of Additional Income
The most obvious benefit for homeowners is the ability to make extra money with a space they are not already using. Because of their separate entrance, in-law units offer homeowners privacy and a sense of distance from their renters.

Attractive to Renters
In-law units are also attractive to renters because they are part of a home and likely to be located in a neighborhood largely made up of single-family homes. And, if yours is already furnished, you have the advantage of being able to list it as a furnished unit for short-term rental on sites such as Airbnb or HomeAway.

Increases Value of Your Property
An in-law suite can increase the value of your home under the right conditions. You need to take into account market conditions and construction costs to ensure that your initial investment in an in-law suite reaps a higher value for your home. Additionally, the extra living space is particularly attractive to buyers with large families.

The Cons of Renting an In-law Apartment

Personal Interaction
Before you rent out your in-law unit, ask yourself if you are ready to deal with a tenant in your personal space. Despite having a separate entrance, the tenant will still be living on your property and at some point you will both have to have some personal interaction.

Legal Requirements
Because renting out an in-law unit is legally equivalent to renting out any other piece of property, you need to follow the laws of your local municipality. In the case of a short-term rental such as an Airbnb, you may be required to collect occupancy taxes, register guests, and sometimes obtain a license from your local authorities.

Homeowner Insurance
Renting out your in-law apartment can also have an effect on your homeowner insurance policy. Be sure to contact your insurance agent before you advertise the rental. Because renting is defined as a business activity, your typical homeowner policy will not cover losses related to your rental.

Bottom Line – Having an attached or detached mother-in-law apartment is a great way to increase the value of your home, improve its resale potential and make extra income – BUT before taking the plunge of listing it for rent, be sure you weigh the pros and cons and thoroughly check your municipality’s zoning ordinances.

]]>http://estelia.com/mother-in-law-apartments-pros-and-cons-of-renting-them/feed/05797Halloween – St. Petersburg, FL Fun, Family Eventshttp://estelia.com/halloween-st-petersburg-fl-fun-family-events/
http://estelia.com/halloween-st-petersburg-fl-fun-family-events/#respondTue, 16 Oct 2018 00:24:52 +0000http://estelia.com/?p=5790 Continue reading...]]>If you live in St. Petersburg, there’s no need to wait October 31st to dress up for Halloween. Beginning this week you’ll find plenty of fun places to go and great kid-friendly things to do. Mark your calendars, don your best costume and hit the bricks!

Shore Acres “Trunk to Treat” Party
10.19.2018: 6pm to 8pm

Shore Acres Elementary School is the host of this event where children from the school and the community are invited to wear costumes and “trunk to treat” from car to car in the school parking lot. Basketball hoops, an inflatable maze, giant rock climbing wall, music and a pumpkin silent auction add to the festivities.

Moms (and Dads, too) are invited to wear costumes and paint Halloween-themed clay art while enjoying snacks with their little ones at this annual pottery party. Cost is $30/couple; reservations are required.

First Annual Zombie Thriller Dance at MOFA
10.24.2018: 6:30pm to 8pm

The Museum of Fine Arts will showcase Michael Jackson’s Thriller dance performed by community volunteers and local “zombies” on the front steps of the museum. Performances happen every 30 minutes.

Movies in the Park – Hocus Pocus
10.25.2018: 6pm to 10pm

It’s the final installment of Preserve the Burg’s Movies in the Park series in North Straub Park. Costumes are encouraged. Food and drinks can be purchased from vendors. Remember to bring a chair or blanket.

Spooktacular Halloween in the Historic Old Northeast
10.31.2018: 6pm to 9pm

Quite possibly the best trick or treating neighborhood in the city. Some street closed to traffic; blocks of incredibly decorated houses and front porches and the friendliest residents to fill your bags with goodies.

]]>http://estelia.com/halloween-st-petersburg-fl-fun-family-events/feed/05790Pet Friendly St. Petersburg, FLhttp://estelia.com/pet-friendly-st-petersburg-fl/
http://estelia.com/pet-friendly-st-petersburg-fl/#respondTue, 02 Oct 2018 00:39:27 +0000http://www.estelia.com/?p=5780 Continue reading...]]>With a canine population topping 75 million, America is home to more dogs than any other country on Earth. According to the Humane Society, 47-percent of households have at least one.

With ample outdoor space, beautiful weather and activities catering to canines, St. Petersburg is known as a welcoming dog-friendly city. It boasts approximately 63 pet-friendly hotels, vacation rentals, bed & breakfasts, and campgrounds; 6 well maintained and easily accessible neighborhood dog parks; and a host of retail and restaurants that make it easy for locals and visitors alike to be out with their pets.

St. Petersburg & Mars Petcare’s BETTER CITIES FOR PETS

In June 2018, St. Petersburg signed on to participate in Mars Petcare’s BETTER CITIES FOR PETS movement to make St. Petersburg an even happier, healthier and more welcoming place for pets. The initiative includes 12 traits of a pet-friendly city, ranging from collaboration to reduce pet homelessness to restaurants and businesses that are welcoming to pets. For the complete story, go to (www.bettercitiesforpets.com/2018/06/22/st-petersburg-joins-better-cities-pets)

St. Petersburg Dog Parks and Classes

The benefits of dog parks for pets, their owners and the community at large are well-documented. Dog parks provide a safe place where pets can frolic and socialize without infringing on private property or impacting traffic and access to more exercise, thereby lessening the amount behavioral issues such as barking. Behavior problems are the number one reason pets are brought to shelters or abandoned.

The following is a list of local dog parks. Note they open 30 minutes before sunrise and close 30 minutes after sunset.

Coquina Key Dog Park: 3595 Locust St. SE.

Crescent Lake Dog Park: 1320 5th St. N.

Kenwood Dog Park: 401 20th St. N.

Lake Vista Dog Park: 1401 62nd Ave. S.

North Shore Dog Park: 901 North Shore Dr. NE.

Walter Fuller Dog Park: 7901 30th Ave N.

Additionally, St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of canine classes, including dog training at the following facilities. Be sure to call ahead for a schedule.

Dog-Friendly Locations and Accommodations

For visitors and their pets – here is a sampling of popular downtown places. For a complete list, you will want to check out (www.bringfido.com/destination/city/saint_petersburg_fl_us)The Hotel Indigo, Staybridge Inn and Suites, St. Petersburg Airbnb Rentals, The Hollander Boutique Hotel, Larelle House Bed and Breakfast and Studio at Craftsman House Gallery & Café.

Here is a sampling of some of the 108 pet friendly restaurants that welcome dogs at their outdoor tables. Bon appetit! Three Birds Tavern, Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant, Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro, Green Bench Brewing Company and BellaBrava.

Canine Events

If you really want to spoil your dog, show him/her off to the world or meet other owners, try these fun October events – The Annual Howl-O-Ween Pet Fest & PAWrade (Call 727-798-5499 or kim@humaneeducationconnection.org for more information) and the Annual Pet Walk. Proceeds of the Annual Walk benefit SPCA Tampa Bay, the only non-profit, open-admission animal shelter in Pinellas County where every pet who comes in gets food, shelter, vaccinations and medical care for as long as it takes to find them loving home. http://spcatb.convio.net

Bottom Line: At the end of the day it seems we value dogs for many of the same reasons we value people. They offer companionship, amusement, guidance for spiritual growth, a buffer against loneliness and an opportunity to care for another living being. Unlike humans, however, they don’t judge or place conditions on their love and ask little in return. Fortunately for those of us who love them, this extraordinary friendship is unlikely to change any time soon.

Related Reading:Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know, by Alexandra HorowitzThe Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs, by Patricia B. McConnellSophie: The Incredible True Story of the Castaway Dog, by Emma PearseHuck: The Remarkable True Story of How One Lost Puppy Taught a Family and a Whole Town About Hope and Happy Endings, by Janet Elder

]]>http://estelia.com/pet-friendly-st-petersburg-fl/feed/05780Finishing Touches – Making a House a Homehttp://estelia.com/finishing-touches-making-a-house-a-home/
http://estelia.com/finishing-touches-making-a-house-a-home/#respondMon, 24 Sep 2018 19:54:48 +0000http://www.estelia.com/?p=5773 Continue reading...]]>Finishing touches – colorful accents, artwork and decorative objects or family heirlooms – add flair and impart character to home. They visually tell your story and infuse a sense of soul – they transform your house into a home.

Interiors – Bringing the Look Together

WALLS and GROUPINGS
Your walls are a backdrop and focal point. Art work and mirrors in various sizes work well when displayed as groupings. Create interest with a colorful theme – there is no right or wrong on the subject matter. Wall décor is an amazing way to show your home’s personality. Hint: The key subject items that you hang should be 57 to 60 inches from the floor to the center of the piece.

Small, singular objects can disappear or look out of place in a room when displayed on their own. Grouping a few items together will add weight and impact to your accessories. Be sure to stagger the heights of your accessories on a bookshelf or create symmetry with your wall hangings. Hint: Follow the rule of three; odd numbers of recurring fixtures tend to look more natural and effortless when incorporated into your design scheme.

COLORS
After you have determined your furniture layout and paint colors, choose a color theme from what exists in the room. Pull out a few of the key colors for your accessories from the fabrics and walls that will add interest and coordinate with the existing color theme.

LAMPS and LIGHTING
Selecting the right lamp design is probably the most fun part of accessorizing. Here you get the chance to really express your sense of style rather than simply light your space. Table lamps, sconces, and chandeliers will all add character to your room. Experiment with lamp styles and finishes. Hint: Most retailers will allow you to return or exchange your lamps until you find the perfect look!

RUGS
Consider your floors to be another blank canvas. Area rugs are a great way to add texture and color. Size does matter, you can choose to put your furniture on top of rug or the most cost effective way is to buy a smaller rug and keep the furniture legs off. From hand knotted Persian rugs to today’s incredibly well priced machine-made program rugs, this is a critical element to any room.

CROWN MOLDING
Crown molding adds the final bit of elegance and a personal touch to any room. Select a molding profile that is compatible with the style of your interior décor. Hint: Base the width of the molding you select on the height of the ceiling in your new home. Rules of thumb vary, but generally choose three to five-inch-wide crown molding with an eight-foot ceiling and six to eight-inch-wide molding for a 10-foot-high room.

Change with the Seasons

Regardless where in the country you live, changing your accessories throughout the year is one of the simplest and most cost effective strategies for keeping your design scheme fresh. Bring in spiced scented candles, new darker colors that will add a touch of sparkle to usher in the autumn, Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons or lighten up your space with a fresh room scent, linen cushions and soft blue accents to bring in the feeling of spring.

BOTTOM LINE: Have fun telling your story by mixing fun new items with treasured family pieces.

]]>http://estelia.com/finishing-touches-making-a-house-a-home/feed/05773Open Floor Plan – What Your Living Room Says About Youhttp://estelia.com/open-floor-plan-what-your-living-room-says-about-you/
http://estelia.com/open-floor-plan-what-your-living-room-says-about-you/#respondMon, 17 Sep 2018 23:19:37 +0000http://www.estelia.com/?p=5761 Continue reading...]]>The term “Open Floor Plan” when used in residential architecture refers to a house or condo in which two or more traditional use spaces are joined to form a much larger space by eliminating some of the partition walls that http://estelia.com/wp-admin/post-new.php#visibilitynormally divide rooms.

Since about 1990, the Open Floor Plan has been the dominant trend in new residential construction. It also has been the goal in many major remodeling projects in older homes, where the objective is to join kitchen and dining room, dining room and living room—or all three—into some form of communal living space or “Great Room.”

St. Petersburg’s Condos, Homes and Apartments

As reported by the Tampa Bay Times (January 2018), nearly a half billion dollars’ worth of construction is underway or expected to start this year. You can bet that the Open Floor Plan will be the dominate design for the housing projects. So, let’s look at one aspect of the design – the living room where you, your family and your guests spend the most time.

The living room is a communal space for entertaining, watching TV and relaxing. Because it’s the most visible part of your home, it’s important to know that the way it’s decorated often leads people to making certain assumptions about you as a person. According to an article written by Melissa Desmarais (www.babygaga.com), there are seven ways your living reflects your personality. Here are three for you to consider.

What Color Says About You

Dark colors show off a more edgy or self-assured side. If your living room palette lies anywhere in the darker area of the color wheel, you’re probably a bolder and more forward person than someone who primarily uses soft creams or pastels. Choosing the following colors for your living room can indicate certain personality traits:

Red: Highly physical person who enjoys experiencing with all five sensesPurple: Requires emotional security (including spiritually), enjoys order and can be a perfectionistYellow: Likes to express individuality through logicOrange: Extremely sociable, requires acceptance and respect from othersBrown: Has a deep need for a safe and comfortable life surrounded by family and friends

Artwork Can Reflect Your Interests

Art is one of the more expressive forms of décor. Whether it’s paintings, photos or sculptures, the art you choose for your living room can tell people you are fun, eccentric, morose, well-traveled, funky, silly, serious, etc. While someone who is more extroverted and thrives on being different may prefer a more shocking or controversial piece of art, an introvert who prefers going with the flow may decorate with art that is generally appealing to everyone. A room full of family photos versus a room stripped of all things personal expresses your level of sentimentality.

Your Rugs Are Connected to Your Life

While you may not think that the flooring and what you put on the floor is as important as what you put on your walls, that could not be less true. Walking into a room where the carpet or rugs are riddled with stains tells you several things. First, the owner of this room doesn’t really care how dirty you think he/she is. Second, replacing said rug is pretty low on their priority list. If your rugs or carpets are old or you find it impossible to keep them free of spills and stains, stick to wood or ceramic floors – but, whatever you do, DO NOT buy a rug to cover another rug!

All said, the Open Floor Plan offers many benefits – it can make the smallest space feel bigger and brighter. Entertaining is a breeze with an open-flow kitchen and living area. You can chat with your guests while you cook. Kitchen islands or tables that are typically used as room demarcations become a focal point for food and drinks. And, a large “great room” is great for keeping an eye on little ones. You can cook dinner or accomplish other household tasks while interacting with your kids.

]]>http://estelia.com/open-floor-plan-what-your-living-room-says-about-you/feed/05761Labor Day …. Honoring the Resilience of American Workershttp://estelia.com/labor-day-honoring-the-resilience-of-american-workers/
http://estelia.com/labor-day-honoring-the-resilience-of-american-workers/#respondTue, 04 Sep 2018 15:52:11 +0000http://www.estelia.com/?p=5754 Continue reading...]]>Although Labor Day is synonymous with the end of summer, its true significance is to honor the contributions and resilience of American workers.

Labor Day has been celebrated as a national holiday since 1894. While there is some speculation as to who exactly came up with the idea, most historians credit Peter McGuire, cofounder of the American Federation of Labor. Its date, the first Monday in September, was chosen because it was halfway between Independence Day and Thanksgiving. The first Labor Day parade took place on September 5, 1882, in New York City.

Organized Labor Unions – Fighting to Protect Workers

The labor movement sprang from the need to protect the common interest of workers. Organized labor unions fought for better wages, reasonable hours and safer working conditions. It efforts led to stop child labor, give health benefits and provide aid to workers who were injured or retired.

The rights and benefits we enjoy today were not simply handed out to America’s working men and women. They were fought for by men and women of courage and conviction, from the factory floors of the Industrial Revolution to the shopping aisles of today’s superstores. These brave workers stood up and spoke out to demand a fair shake; an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work. Many risked their lives; some gave their lives.

Florida AFL-CIO – Florida’s Unions

Today, the Florida AFL-CIO represents over 500 local labor unions, 10 councils, and over one million union members, retirees, and their families in the state.

These unions play a pivotal role both in securing legislated labor protections and rights such as safety and health, overtime, and family/medical leave and in enforcing those rights on the job. Because unionized workers are more informed, they are more likely to benefit from social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance and workers compensation.

In a Gallup article titled, Labor Union Approval Best Since 2003, at 61% (8.30.2017) (www.news.gallup.com) unions have regained popularity since bottoming out in 2009. That survey marked the first and only time in Gallup’s trend dating back to 1936 that support for unions was below 50%.

St. Petersburg, FL – Plan

As the city continues to grow, there is a huge need for skilled construction/trades workers. Currently, St. Petersburg’s local hiring program focuses on contractors doing city projects that cost more than $500,000. If those companies meet the city’s hiring goals, they stand to be paid a larger percentage of the money that the city typically retains until the project is 25, 50 and 99 percent complete.

To get the money, contractors have to make sure that 30 percent of the labor on city projects are new hires from Pinellas County. Of those, one-third need to be apprentices. Since St. Petersburg launched its program, a dozen contractors have won city contracts totaling more than $20.8 million, according to a report to the City Council last November.

Songs of the Labor Movement

Songs of the American labor movement over the 20th century voiced grievances, affirmed the value of the worker to society, and expressed hope for life in a more just world. Classic Labor Songs from Smithsonian Folkways is a collage of these voices – champions of the movement, singing songs with a passion and love for their fellow workers that rings just as true today as it did then. Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Joe Glazer, the Almanac Singers, and more chronicle the history of the American labor movement in stirring song. (www.folkways.si.edu)

Labor Movement Legacy

In 2009 former President Obama gave a Labor Day speech in Cincinnati, Ohio. Here is an excerpt that sums up what Labor Day is all about and why we need to remember what the Labor Movement did for us.

Now, like a lot of Americans, you’re having some fun today. Taking the day off. Spending time with the kids. Enjoying some good music and good food-some famous Cincinnati chili. But today we also pause. To remember. To reflect. To reaffirm.

We remember that the rights and benefits we enjoy today were not simply handed out to America’s working men and women. They had to be won.

They had to be fought for, by men and women of courage and conviction, from the factory floors of the Industrial Revolution to the shopping aisles of today’s superstores. They stood up and spoke out to demand a fair shake; an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work. Many risked their lives. Some gave their lives.

So let us never forget: much of what we take for granted-the 40-hour work week, the minimum wage, health insurance, paid leave, pensions, Social Security, Medicare-they all bear the union label. It was the American worker-union men and women-who returned from World War II to make our economy the envy of the world. It was labor that helped build the largest middle class in history. So even if you’re not a union member, every American owes something to America’s labor movement.

How Do You Celebrate Labor Day?

While many of us still turn out to hear Labor Day speeches and attend parades, the focus of the American worker has turned more to celebrating a day off with family. However you decide to celebrate Labor Day, have fun and take some time away from work to catch up with your family.

Related Reading:Working: People Talk about What They Do All Day and How They Feel about What They Do, by Studs TerkelThe Only Thing that Can Save Us: Why America Needs a New Kind of Labor Movement, by Thomas GeogheganThe March on Washington: Jobs, Freedom and the Forgotten History of Civil Rights, by William P. JonesSweat and Blood: A History of U.S. Labor Unions (People’s History), by Gloria Skurzynski